The UN 2023 Water Conference, held from March 22 to 24 in New York, marked a pivotal moment in global water governance. Co-hosted by the Governments of Tajikistan and the Netherlands, it was the first UN water conference in nearly 50 years, aiming to mobilize Member States, the UN system and stakeholders to take decisive action on water-related challenges.

Belgium participated in the conference, with Ministers Demir and Peeters leading a delegation from Flanders. Minister Demir addressed the plenary on behalf of Belgium, presenting key initiatives such as the Blue Deal, Resilient Waterland, and the Coastal Vision as leading water strategies. She also called on UN leaders to collaborate on a global Blue Deal.

As part of this effort, Flanders House in New York hosted an exhibition and week of events highlighting water-related challenges and solutions. Multimedia presentations, panel discussions and interactive displays, showcased innovative approaches to water management and sustainability. It provided a platform for experts, policymakers and the public to engage in dialogue about the future of global water resources.